| | | | I watched some of this but not all. So my remarks are not fair. Take them with a grain of salt. I will just address what I know. First off, as a libertarian, I don't like laws that legally force diversity. The State of Iowa requires gender balance in their local governing boards. Yes, there is an out if locals make a good faith effort for three months to fill a position. And I understand the frustration of why the legislation was put into place. However, if someone tried to legislate diversity issues in the entertainment industry, I would not support their efforts, however well-intentioned. Okay, my two cents... The shabby and demeaning history of how different groups of people have been represented in popular culture, particularly movies and television, and how actors and people behind the scenes have been treated for decades, is well-documented, in my opinion. Although some of the current arguments about culture diversity make me uncomfortable, I am for the most part glad that things are changing. I think the word "forced" is a little over-the-top and does not apply to many of the events occurring in the entertainment world. For example, growing up on the South Side of Chicago, it was pretty obvious that movies about big cities, like New York and Chicago, magically did not have any black people on the screen, unless they were maids and chauffeurs, or portrayed as comic relief. Most kids of color grew up never seeing someone who looked like them outside of a few stereotypical roles. Ethnicity, except as a joke, was not common. And all those really bizarre movies where white folks in bad make-up played Asians, and Jews and Italians in very bad dark make-up played native Americans, and actors with ethnic names had to hide with name changes, bleached hair, and a care not to sound too whatever. What has made the positive changes? Technology made it easy for people to make movies and tv shows outside of the studio and network monoliths. Some successful white actors and directors promoted minorities. Minorities were able to become directors and producers. The culture changed. Etc. Today, it might seem like there is no problem anymore. But there are many people who feel, right or wrong, that they need to play catch up still. I understand why some outspoken proponents of diversity might seem to have universal - and very large - chips on their shoulders. I give them a break. Things will settle down. I think that being compassionate and good-humored is a better way to coax people away from some of these radical stances. What I consider smug criticism just drives them into more radical positions. ----- Here is one of my favorite stories about breakthroughs from not so long ago. |
